S’pore man, 57, offers free earphones to those playing loud music or videos on public transport

A man in Singapore has apparently been offering free earphones to passengers who play music or videos aloud on public transport.

In a video on Aug. 14, TikTok user Josh Goh could be seen getting up from his seat on a bus to approach a female passenger who was playing a video out loud on her phone.

He then offered her a pair of earphones.

"Aunty, I give you earphones, you can plug it into your phone," Goh could be heard saying in Mandarin. "It's free."

However, the woman declined his offer, even after Goh repeatedly assured her that the earphones were new and free.

Started carrying spare earphones with him since two months ago

Speaking to 8world, Goh, who is a part-time tutor, said the incident took place on Aug. 16.

Although the woman declined the earphones, she eventually turned off the sound on her phone, he said.

The 57-year-old said he had noticed that some passengers played music or videos loudly on public transport, potentially disturbing other commuters.

As such, about two months ago, he began carrying spare, unused earphones with him so that he can offer them to passengers playing audio aloud.

Goh said he has approached such passengers about eight or nine times so far, and has given away three or four pairs of earphones.

On one occasion, a passenger who accepted a pair even gave him a thumbs-up, he said.

"I'm a problem-solver," Goh was quoted as saying. "So I brought out some earphones I had collected to see if distributing them to others would solve the noise issue."

Reactions

Many online commenters praised Goh's actions in the comments section of his TikTok post.

Others also asked if new laws had been introduced to address inconsiderate behaviour and noise on public transport.

New penalties were previously introduced for public transport users and visitors to bus interchanges in Singapore who behave in ways that disrupt other passengers.

Under the rules, penalties are imposed based on how disruptive an offender’s behaviour is to other commuters, with repeat offenders facing higher penalties.

The law, which was passed on Oct. 14, 2025, allows authorised officers, including Land Transport Authority (LTA) enforcement officers, ticket inspectors and empowered interchange staff, to take enforcement action against offenders.

They may also conduct security checks and screening of passengers and people entering bus interchanges.

Those who refuse to comply with such checks may be fined up to S$1,000 and asked to leave the premises.